Tag: LGBT rights

The legislation would also prohibit the U.S. Military from discriminating against service members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.The amendment cleared the chamber on a mostly party-line vote of 242-187. Ten Republicans joined a united Democratic caucus in voting for the measure. Trump's ban on transgender military service went into effect roughly four months after the Supreme Court gave its okay as several cases challenging the ban's constitutionality move through the courts.California Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat, introduced the amendment...

Governor David Ige, a Democrat, on Wednesday signed the bill into law.The law allows people who do not identify as male or female to choose gender option "X." The change will appear on forms starting on July 1, 2020.Maine and Colorado offer a similar option.Ige also signed a bill banning use of the "gay or trans" panic defense in criminal cases.Criminal defendants who use the controversial defense claim that a violent act was triggered by the revelation of a...

The announcement marks the first time a person of color will lead HRC.HRC President Chad Griffin announced in November that he was leaving the organization. David, a 48-year-old civil rights lawyer, is set to begin his term as president in August."I believe that together, we can harness the strength that's inherent in our differences, to stand together in the face of fear and division," David said in a statement. "And that's exactly what the Human Rights Campaign was built for.""If we...

The Equality Act is a federal bill which seeks to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to existing civil rights laws.The bill cleared the House last month and President Donald Trump has signaled his opposition to passage.When Gallup asked, "Do you think new civil rights laws are needed to reduce discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people, or not?" 53 percent of respondents answered yes, while 46 percent answered no.In 2017, 51 percent...

Eight Republicans joined Democrats to approve the bill by a vote of 236-173.The Equality Act seeks to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to existing civil rights laws.On Monday, the Trump administration said that the president is opposed to the legislation.Out Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island called passage "truly historic.""The American people think it's time to protect the LGBTQ community," Cicilline said. "There is nothing more central to the idea of America than the...

Lipinski, the only House Democrat to not co-sponsor the Equality Act, made the announcement in a speech on the House floor."All Americans deserve equal treatment under the law and should have these rights protected, including individuals in the LGBT community," Lipinski said. "At the same time, the free exercise of religious belief is a core ideal of our country, protected in the Constitution and through federal law.""It is critical to ensure that religious freedom stands a chance to be fully...

We love allies A day after Taiwan’s parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage, two gay couples and one straight couple held a joint wedding on Saturday (18 May). The social media stars organized the ceremony in support of same-sex marriage and promote gender equality. Leading LGBTI activists, including veteran LGBT rights activist Chi Chia-wei and coordinator of Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan Jennifer Lu attended. Taiwan’s parliament on Friday (17 May) became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. The president is expected...

MANILA – During his elementary school days, he was bullied for being gay, an identity that he carried with shame. Later in life, he was able to overcome. While he had fully come to terms with who he is, Ateneo law school valedictorian Sean Borja said many in the LGBT community are still afraid to come out and need some encouragement. Borja believes topping the 2018 Bar exams gives him a platform to push for LGBT rights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzahxbggKvY “Other than the mundane, I...

Still not getting it, Logan... If you thought Logan Paul’s response to his latest controversy was uncharacteristically muted, that’s probably because he had his tonsils out two weeks ago. Now back in full swing, the YouTuber’s once again poking the bear following backlash for announcing he was ‘going gay’ for a month in 2019, explaining ‘gay is cool to me’. OK then. He revealed plans for – as he called it – ‘Male-only March’ in a podcast appearance earlier this month. The star addressed...

Just in time for National Coming Out Day, Facebook has added a profile option that allows folks to share and celebrate their personal coming out stories. “Came out” is now available as a life event on Facebook users profiles. “For the LGBTQ community, Facebook is a way for you to come out, celebrate your pride and find support,” Tudor Havriliuc, a vice president at Facebook, told NBC News. “Visibility is so important because it changes hearts and minds about being LGBTQ...

Thousands of people are set to take to the streets of Belfast this weekend – to call on UK Prime Minister Theresa May to legislate for equal marriage in Northern Ireland. Polling shows that an overwhelming majority in Northern Ireland support equal marriage, but progress on the issue has been stalled for many years due to political instability and opposition from the hardline Democratic Unionist Party. Campaigners fear that following the collapse of power-sharing in the region, it could be many...

LGBT rights advocates say they will fly rainbow flags in the stadium in spite of the threats LGBT soccer fans heading to the World Cup in Russia have already been warned not to publicly display affection, and members of the transgender community told to bring a friend with them to the bathroom to avoid attacks. Now there are reports of anti-LGBT Russians threatening violence against the community. Joe White of LGBT soccer fan group Pride in Football said it has received...

"This is a basic human rights issue, not one about sexuality." This past weekend eyes around the world were on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as the two were married in Windsor at the royal wedding of the decade. It is common for the members of the royal family to take up causes, like Princess Diana did when she raised awareness about landmines and HIV/AIDS. Prince Harry and Meghan are following in Diana’s footsteps by choosing their own causes, and committing...

"I was like this is sort of disrespectful to the song and subject matter she was talking about.” After months of dropping hints on social media, Glee actor Kevin McHale is finally speaking publicly about his sexual orientation and his relationship with actor Austin McKenzie. Talking to Marc Malkin in a Facebook Live on Thursday, McHale, 29, admitted he “wasn’t obviously shouting it from the mountaintops” that he was gay, but insisted if someone “was a big fan and following everything...